Push-pull or twist door knob/handle mechanism

ABSTRACT

An improved door knob/handle mechanism is described which opens, i.e. unlatches, the door through the mechanism of pushing, pulling or twisting the door knob/handle. When the door panel is to be opened in a direction so as to swing-away from the user, the door is opened either by pushing on the knob/handle, or twisting it. When the door panel is to open in a direction by swinging towards the user, the door is opened either by pulling the knob/handle or twisting it. The improved mechanism facilitates the opening of a door by those individuals who may be handicapped, suffer from arthritis, or have their hands filled while attempting to open the door, either inwardly, or outwardly.

This Application is the subject of a Disclosure Document received onDec. 7, 1989, and identified by No. 241154.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mechanisms for opening internal or externaldoors and, more particularly, to a door knob/handle mechanism whichpermits opening of the door through the medium of pushing, pulling ortwisting the door knob/handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As is well known and understood, the great majority of doors found inthe home or office facility are of the type that are rotary operated,i.e, the latch bolt is caused to be retracted by imparting a twistaction to the door knob. Such twist motion generally imparts a rotaryaction to the latch bolt, and is the same whether the door is to beopened from the outside, i.e., by swinging the door inwardly of theroom, or whether the door is opened from inside the room, by swingingthe door inwardly towards the user.

As is also well known and understood, opening of these doors by atwist-motion to the knob oftentimes presents difficulties, especially tothose who are handicapped, or suffer from any form of arthritis of thehands, or simply by those whose hands are filled, or otherwiseencumbered. Some suggestions to accommodate those users revolve aroundthe replacement of the twist action door knob with a special latchmechanism, whereby a push-or-pull force becomes available to effectuatethe motion to operate the rotary actuated latch. Further suggestionsconcern an entirely different push-pull mechanism to permit the openingand closure of the door. By and large, however, all of thesealternatives proved to be much more burdensome to install--and had verylittle usefulness as a simple replacement for doors that already existedin the home or office room where such entry was to be governed. In otherwords, such suggestions could not just be simply purchased, andinstalled to replace the existing door knob/handle mechanism, butvarious cut-outs to the door or door housing had to be made in order toeffectuate the conversion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As will become clear hereinafter, the present invention provides asimple mechanism to convert a twist-operated door opening mechanism intoone which also provides a push-pull operation, all to be installed as asimple replacement for the arrangement already existing. As will also beseen, the described mechanism continues to provide rotary actuation ofthe latch mechanism, whether the door knob/handle be pushed, pulled ortwisted to accommodate all types of users. As also will be appreciated,the mechanism of the invention will be seen to employ a minimum numberof parts, is compact, lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and fromall intents and purposes comprises the exact same door knob/handlemechanism that typically is provided on internal or external doorconstructions today, except that the internal workings of the mechanismis modified.

In particular, the latch bolt is employed, along with its bevelledextended end, in conventional manner to be urged into an extendedposition by a member mounted through the body of the lock acting upon anincluded spring. In accordance with conventional constructions, suchmember is "turnable" so as to retract the bolt--but, in accordance withthe invention, is also "pushable" and "pullable" to provide a linearmotion which also actuates the bolt to its retracted position. As willbecome more specifically clear from a consideration of the followingdescription, such member--in a preferred embodiment of the invention--may be fabricated from a cylindrical stock, machined and cut-away toprovide a circular cross-section at one end, a semi-circularcross-section at the opposite end in providing a flat landing, and agradual slope from the flat landing upwardly to the opposing end. Withthe opposing ends of the member then being secured within knobreceptacles of circular cross-section, alternate "pushing" or "pulling"of the respective knob operates to cause the latch assembly to ride upalong the grade slope in retracting the latch bolt. At the same time,rotation of either knob operates, as conventionally, in imparting the"twist" action to produce the typical spring-urging to retract thelatch, as well. As will be understood, the described latch assembly willalso be seen to operate in this fashion even where the opening of thedoor is attempted to be attained by a combined "push-twist" or"pull-twist" action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention will be more clearlyunderstood from a consideration of the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, dis-assembled view of the push-pull or twist doorknob/handle of the invention constructed in accordance with a preferredembodiment; and

FIG. 2 illustrates the latch bolt mechanism operative with the preferredembodiment in providing the spring-urging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 identifies the knob 10 thatwould be on the outside of a door (not shown) which is to be opened byswinging inwardly, while reference notation 12 identifies the knob onthe inside of the door as the door would be opened into a room, forexample. A pair of shields 14, 16 surround the knobs 10, 12, along theirlengths 18, 20, of a circular cross-section 22, 24 extending inwardly ofthe lock compartment of the door in conventional manner, and so as to besecured thereto by appropriate screws, or similar means, 26 positionedalong the shields 14, 16. A member 28 is shown as being of generallycylindrical configuration, having a circular crosssection as at the end30, but being machined and cut-away to have a semi-circularcross-section at the end 32. A first Allen screw 34 extends through theknob length 18 to fixedly secure the member 28 in place at its end 30,while a second Allen screw 36, of greater overall length than the screw34 extends through the length 20 so as to bear against the end 32 inholding it in place. As will be seen, the member 28 has a generally"flat" portion 38, and a sloping-grade portion 40 along which the latchmechanism 42, at FIG. 2, is allowed to ride. For purposes of thisexploded, perspective view of FIG. 1, it is sufficient to note thatlatch mechanism 42 incorporates a housing 44 having an aperture 46 toreceive the member 28 and an additional portion 48 to receive acentering pin 50 extending from the knob shield 16. The latch bolt isshown by reference numeral 52, and a pair of screws 54 employable tosecure the mechanism 42 to the door jamb plate 56 upon the door (notshown). As will become clear from the description of FIG. 2, the latchmechanism 42 quiescently is positioned proximate to the point A on themember 28 where the flat and sloping portions 38, 40 join, and with thelatch bolt 52 having its bevelled end 58 generally extended. As willalso be seen, twisting of either knob 10, 12 in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction causes the latch bolt 52 to retract inwardly,as is conventional. But, as will also be seen, pushing on the knob 10(or a corresponding pulling on the knob 12) causes the latch mechanism42 to ride upward along the sloping-grade portion 40, to produce thesame latch bolt retraction. In such manner, the door can be opened, byany of a twisting of the knob 10, a twisting of the knob 12, a pushingupon the knob 10, a pulling of the knob 12 or in either of a combined"push-twist" or "pull-twist" action.

Referring now to the exploded, disassembled view of FIGURE 2, the latchhousing 44 is provided with an apertured channel 60 along its length inreceiving the remaining component parts of the latch mechanism 42. Onesuch component part 62 is provided with a "hook extension" at its lowerend, and is apertured, as at 66, to receive a pin 68 which traverses itsentire thickness in passing through an aperture 70 in the housing 44 soas to exit at an opposing aperture of the housing 44 (not shown), insecuring all the component parts in place within the housing 44.

As shown, the hook extension 64 fits within the longitudinally extendingslot 72 at the bottom end of the component part 74 which forms the latchbolt 52. Such second component part 74 also is configured with anaperture 76 to receive one end of a helical spring 78, the opposite endof which is configured to encircle a protruding nib 80 of a thirdcomponent part 82. A slot 84 is provided within the part 82 so as toreceive a bearing extension 86 of the component part 62, in allowingrelative movement between the component parts 74, 82 as the spring 78 iscompressed and alternatively released, as the hook extension 64correspondingly slides to the left, or to the right, as shown within thelongitudinal slot 72.

As will also be noted, the end of the component part 82 remote from thebearing extension 86 is of a generally U-shape configuration, and withthe relative lengths of the components parts 74 and 82 being selected inaccordance with the length of the latch housing 44 so as to bring theU-shaped configuration 88 in the vicinity of the latch-housing aperture46. As will be appreciated, with the pin 68 securing the component part62 in position within the housing 44, any movement of the component part82 caused by a pressure upon the U-shape configuration 88 causes arotating action (counter-clockwise) of the component part 62, wherebythe hook extension 64 bears against the sidewall 90 of the longitudinalslot 72, in retracting the component part 74 tothe right (as shown inthe drawing), against the resistance of the spring 78. Continuingpressure applied against the U-shape configuration 88 produces a furthercounter-clockwise rotation of the hook extension 64 and a continuingright-ways linear motion of the component part 74, thereby retractingfully the latch bolt 52 and its bevelled end 58.

As will also be seen in FIG. 2, such pressure upon the U-shapedconfiguration 88 of the component part 82 is produced by therotative-action accorded to the member 28 by means of the twisting ofthe knobs 10, 12, and because a U-shaped configuration is provided, canresult in retraction of the component 74 and the latch bolt 52 by aclockwise twisting of the knobs 10, 12 (which is the normal movement intrying to open a door), or by a counter-clockwise twisting as well. Aswill also be apparent, the pressure exerted upon the U-shapedconfiguration 88 results as well where the member 28 is linearly movedso as to cause the U-shaped configuration 88 to ride up along thesloping grade portion 40--either by a pushing upon the knob 10, or by apulling of the knob 12. In either case, a left-wise motion is producedupon the component part 82, causing the side wall 86 of the slot 84 toforce a rotation of the bearing extension 86 of the component part 62 inproducing a corresponding force upon the side wall 90 of the slot 72 inretracting component 74, its latch bolt 52 and its bevelled end 58.

In accordance with a preferred construction of the embodiment of theinvention, a gradual slope of approximately 22° was provided between theportions 38, 40, and with the flat portion 38 having an approximatelength of 5/8", the grade portion 40 then being approximately 1 1/4" inlength. Pushing-in on the knob 10--as when one tries to enter a room,causes the latch mechanism 42 to ride up the grade 40, in retracting thelatch bolt 52; correspondingly, pulling-on the knob 12--as when tryingto open inwardly a closed door also causes the latch mechanism 42 toride up along the grade 40, in retracting the latch bolt. Likewise,rotating the knobs 10, 12, either in a clockwise or in acounter-clockwise direction, to enter or leave the closed room by movingthe door, also causes a left-wise motion of the U-shaped configuration88 and the resultant rotation about the pins 68 and 70 as a fulcrum inretracting the component part 74 and the latch bolt 52, as well. In suchmanner, the door, or door panel, can be opened easily through the usualtwist-action of the knob/handle, or by a pushing or pulling action bythose who may be handicapped, suffer from arthritis, or merely havetheir hands full when attempting to open the door or panel.

While there has been described what is considered to be a preferredembodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing fromthe scope of the teachings herein. Thus, whereas Applicants havedescribed the invention as operative with a "tapered" shaft member toproduce the action to retract the latch bolt, alternative ways ofemploying rotating gears, for example, may be incorporated in providingsimilar situations and results. Other provisions may be conceived of, aswell, in providing a door knob/handle mechanism which permits opening ofthe door through the mediums of pushing-in, pulling-out, or twisting thedoor knob/handle either clockwise or counter-clockwise, or by acombination of "push-twist", "pull-twist" movements. And, as will bereadily apparent, all these actions will be seen to follow whether thedoor knob/handle mechanism of the invention is installed as areplacement for an already existing door knob construction, or isincluded as part of an original installation to begin with For at leastsuch reason, therefore, resort should be had to the claims appendedhereto for a true understanding of the scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for opening a hinged door by a pair of knobslocated on either side thereof, comprising:first and second knobs eachhaving a tubular extension extending therefrom; a shaft member havingfirst and second opposing ends, an intermediate portion and alongitudinal axis, said first end having a flat camming surface lying ina plane parallel to said longitudinal axis and being of a uniform crosssection, said intermediate portion having a flat camming surfaceinclined to said axis, each said end telescopically fitted within one ofsaid tubular extensions on said pair of knobs; means for securing saidextensions on said first and second opposing ends; a latch bolt; cammingmeans coupled between said shaft member and said latch bolt forcooperating with said flat camming surfaces on said shaft member foractuating said bolt to a retract position upon rotation of either ofsaid pair of knobs, and for actuating said bolt to said retract positionupon pushing on one of said pair of knobs and upon pulling of the otherof said pair of knobs, and for permitting said shaft member to freelyslide with respect to said camming means while preventing actuation ofsaid bolt by said shaft member upon pulling on said one of said pair ofknobs and upon pushing on said other of said pair of knobs; and anelongated cartridge, having substantially a uniform cross section,housing said latch bolt and said camming means, said cartridge having anopening at one end through which said latch bolt extends when not insaid retract position and a passage near said opposite end for receivingsaid shaft member and an end of said camming means.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said shaft member has a first end of cross-sectionalconfiguration corresponding to that of said tubular extension of a firstone of said pair of knobs into which said first end is fitted, andwherein said shaft member has a second end of cross-sectionalconfiguration different from that of said tubular extension of a secondone of said pair of knobs into which said second end is fitted.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said first end of said shaft member is of acircular cross-sectional configuration and wherein said second end ofsaid shaft member is of a semi-circular cross-sectional configuration.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said shaft member incorporates aflat surface portion extending linearly from said second end to a point,and wherein said shaft member also incorporates a sloping surfaceportion extending upwardly from said point towards said first end. 5.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said camming means is biased againstsaid shaft member about said point and is movable along said slopingsurface portion for actuating said latch bolt to said retract position.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said camming means is coupled withsaid shaft member to move upwardly along said sloping surface portionupon pushing on said one of said pair of knobs and upon pulling of saidother of said pair of knobs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein saidcamming means is coupled with said shaft member to remain substantiallyat said point upon rotation of either of said pair of knobs foractuating said bolt to said retract position.
 8. A door fastenercomprising:a housing; a latching member located in said housing beingselectively extensible and retractable relative to said housing; acamming member located in said housing including means for extending andretracting said latching member when said camming member is movedrelative to said housing; a camming shaft having cam surface means forselectively causing said camming member to move relative to said housingupon rotation of said shaft in either direction and upon linear movementof said shaft with respect to said housing in one direction and forpermitting said camming shaft to move linearly with respect to saidcamming member in the direction opposite to said one direction whileaverting movement of said camming member by said camming shaft; a firstdoor knob having a tube telescopically received over one end of saidshaft and including adjustable means for securing said tube to any oneof a plurality of positions on said one end of said shaft; a second doorknob having a tube telescopically received over the opposite end of saidshaft and including an adjustable means for securing said tube to anyone of a plurality of positions on said opposite end of said shaft;first and second shields slidably and rotatably received said first knoband said second knob, respectively; and securing means joined to saidshields and extending into abutment with said housing for securing saidshields to each other and to a door and for preventing rotation of saidhousing upon rotation of said shaft.
 9. A door fastener comprising:alatch bolt housing having an axial bore with an axial opening at one endof said housing, and a transverse passage communicating with said boreand passing transversely through said housing near the opposite endthereof; a latch bolt mounted in said bore and having a latching memberand a camming member slidably received in said bore, said bolt furtherincluding a spring biasing said latching member and said camming memberaway from each other such that a portion of said latching memberprotrudes from said axial opening and a portion of said camming memberprotrudes into said passage, and said bolt further including means forcausing said latching member to be retracted into said bore in responseto movement of said camming member toward said latching member; anelongated shaft having a narrow end, a wide end and an intermediateportion of variable width extending between said narrow end and saidwide end, said shaft being slidably and rotatably received in saidpassage with said camming member biased by said spring into cammingrelationship with said shaft, and wherein said shaft has camming surfacemeans for sliding said camming member in said bore in response torotation of said shaft and in response to sliding of said shaft in saidpassage in a first direction, and wherein said shaft is free to slide ina direction opposite to said first direction while averting movement ofsaid camming member by said shaft; a first door knob having a tubetelescopically received over said wide end of said shaft and includingadjustable means for securing said tube to any one of a plurality ofpositions on said wide end; a second door knob having a tubetelescopically received over said narrow end of said shaft and includingan adjustable means for securing said tube to any one of a plurality ofpositions on said narrow end of said shaft; first and second shieldsslidably and rotatably receiving said first knob and said second knob,respectively; and securing means joined to said shields and extendinginto abutment with said housing for securing said shields to each otherand to a door and for securing said housing with respect to saidshields.